Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

THE BIBLE: FINISHED OR OPEN ENDED?

The Bible: that most holy sixty-six books revered by the greater part of the Christian world, continues to be the final authority in matters of faith and practice. On second thought, is that really so? Most probably, the answer depends on the one to whom the question is posed, but even among those answering in the affirmative, there continues to be questions. Think about what I mean!

Powerful words are used to introduce Holy Writ, words such as “Plenary, complete,”

“Verbally inspired,” etc. Such adjectives mean to convey that the Bible is fully complete as the word for word Holy Spirit breathed inspiration upon the 40 or so human scribes who penned it.

Still, there are those in growing numbers who affirm that God intended interpretation and direction should change as necessary to attract people to His cross and to His church. So what is the problem with that? Is the word of God imprisoned by verbiage assigned to antiquity seeing that even the last of the 66 books was completed nearly two thousand years ago?

The answer is “Yes,” and that is not hard to explain. Men are sinners, and their best thoughts do not conform to the non-contradictory Word of God. The Biblical word for human attempts to alter the Word is “Iniquity.”

Paul looked forward to the completion of the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3) as he put it in I Cor:13:13. Then James labeled it the perfect (complete) law of liberty, James 1:25. Furthermore, very harsh and specific judgment is already pronounced on those who would alter God’s book, Rev.22:19.

The same humanistic mindset is also hard at work on the United States Constitution, and it continues to be a national debate. Is the document to be interpreted strictly as written, or should it be interpreted in line with modern whims of a sinful society which have worsened in the last 200 years?

The wisdom of our forefathers is indeed a marvel. Their work must not be undermined. But the wisdom of God Who gave us the Bible is greater, far greater, and it must not be undermined. Both documents, though unequal, must be accepted as finished, not open-ended or subject to alteration by the whims of godless men.

FOR THOUGHT: If the Bible is not to be followed as originally written, why should it be followed at all? Do you see that to change any teaching of the Bible puts sinful men in control instead of the righteous God Who gave it to us? What is the rule of faith and practice in your life?